2001-06-06
My name is Marianne Eilsøe. I was born in 1963, so maybe you need a pocket calculator… I was born in the city where I live now; Fredericia in Denmark. Sounds boring, when you could live in Cork in Ireland, right? I like Denmark; it’s always around the corner.
Why did you start to dance Irish dance?
I startede to dance Irish dance in ’99 in September. Why, is a good question… I play guitar too, it was a German heavymetal band that inspired me to do so. HEAVY METAL??? When I say Wind of change, some of you will know who I’m talking about. And you’ll also know that it’s a ballad. No, I don’t freak around hearing heavy, don’t worry about that. It’s only the reason why I play guitar. If Michael Flatley would play the guitar, I’m sure it would be because of him, I play. And if The Scorpions would be tapdancing, I’m sure I wouldn’t be dancing…
I watched a tape a few years ago; Lord of the Dance, and it was fascinating. The way all the dancers were dancing at the same time, the way Michael Flatley came running in, as if it would be dead or life for him. That was fascinating. It’s the “no one can beat me” look in his eyes that told me; hey, what about that? Try it and no one can beat you. No, I’m joking, sorry… I think it has something to do with who you already are, the dancers ring a bell and you just have to dance. It’s a part of you they show on stage, I think. And it’s the person who loves the liberty. And fights for it. It’s a person with a strong will. (I can be very stubborn.) But I’m sure if it had been Danes, dancing Danish folk dance, no one would ever have noticed they’d been on the stage. Still, Danes look very much like the Irish – and that’s not so bad. The Irish people like our humor. It reminds them of their own. I also love the history and the legends. Danes have H. C. Andersen and my town won a battle in 1848. That’s about it. And every year we celebrate that. Every child in our town has been to the “event.” It makes the world so tiny here. And we never talk about all the other battles that we lost. No. But the one and only we won. Danes today are looking for a new identity and so are many other people in other countries. It has something to do with that, too. (Can you hear my Danish?) The Irish fascinates me. But I think it always has. Even before Lord of the Dance. Did you know that we all come from Africa?? Even the Irish people. But that’s about 150.000 years ago. And I’m sure they didn’t tapdance…
What kind of Irish dance do you dance, Set dance, Solo, Céilí?
Hm, that’s difficult, because the only thing I know it isn’t is solo. One of my sweet friends who’s dancing all the time, she’s from Norway, has told me several times, I’m not sure, but it could be Céili. The dances we are able to do now is from a tape. I think the last we had is called Glasgow reel/gene’s reel. (Aha, I’m dancing a reel…) And it’s FAST.
Have you danced any other type of dance before?
No, I fool have never danced before, and I tell you if I would have, my balance would have been nicer to watch…
Where have you learnt to dance Irish dance?
I go to a school in my neighbour town, Kolding, here in town the Irish Dance-teachers aren’t that good. It looks more like Irish workout, than Irish dancing. Our teacher in Kolding is very, very good. And each year we have a end-of-season dance, where we dance in front of 1500 people, and I love that kick. We spent about half a year to learn this dance and it’s all over in three minutes. We only meet and dance one hour every week. (Danes…)
What do you do when you are not dancing?
Oh, when I don’t dance, I write stories, which I hope will become a book one day. I’m just finishing my first these days. And I’ve got a black labrador, which has the same name as one of my best friends boy has. (Can you hear my Danish?) And he is so proud of that. The boy. This September I’m going to start at a Schweiss class. And what is that? Hm, it means I will train my dog to find wild (well, they are not that wild in Denmark…) animals which has become run down by a car and now is lying somewhere in the wood half dead. It is the dog’s job to find it, which can take several hours, and my job is to shot it. If the dog hasn’t killed it first. They sometimes do that. But I sure will look funny with a gun in my hands. I’m not that tall…1.62. I love to make people laugh. I love the Swedish nature and can walk for hours “out there.” My job. I do haircuts on dogs. I sometimes hate them. I sometimes love them. I’m not the kind of type, who would want the same job forever. I’ve been doing it for about 13 years now and I have two saloons. One at home and one in Kolding. I normaly work from 08.00 – and around 18.00. Saturday from 08. – 12/13. It’s to busy to keep it closed at Saturdays, though I try hard. (Sundays closed…) But I think it is still an exciting job.
Are you part of a dance group, if so could you tell us about it?
No, I’m not a part of a dance group. I think I’ve got much more to learn first.
Are your family a real irish dance family?
My dad loves to bike around Denmark. (Doesn’t take that long…) No, they are really not a real Irish dance family. Too bad.
What is your goal with the dancing?
I want to do it as good as possible. I never do things half. And if I can’t do the taps I want, I get angry and try again, and again, and again. I would like to be the best in our school. We’re only 7 now, so maybe I have a chance. Hi, hi. Jane is the best. Just as good as our teacher sometimes. Our teacher keeps talking about a trip to Ireland to learn more, but I don’t know if she’s been there by now.
What is your favourite dance?
The one we learned last time. And of course most of the dances in Lord of the Dance. And Riverdance. I would like to kick like that Flatley does, but, but, but, but, but.
In what way has the Irish dance changed your life?
Hm. I talk too much… It has inspired me to write. I came upon a story by watching Michael Flatley dance. I’m sure I would have written it anyway, I’m Danish and I’ve got my feet on the ground. That’s too bad for an Irish dancer, isn’t it? Honest, I’ ve always loved writing, but I’ve been writing more these last years, and I really want to become a writer some day. I think the will of the dancer is inspiring me. It’s a fight. A pesonally fight; can I do it? Can I become a writer? You can if you believe in it. And I believe. Maybe there will go four years, maybe ten. So what, writers don’t have to stop at the age of 43, do they?
Do you have any advice or tips you would like to share?
Hm. Irish dancing demands a very good teacher and a good school. I would say that you should find the one that suits you. How much do you wanna learn? Do you wanna learn it together with somebody who thinks it’s a good exercise? If you’re thinking of going to an Irish dance course, do it. We all looked silly first time and you will never regret it. Go. And buy the real Irish tapshoes. They’re expensive, but you need them to be satisfied. And they don’t say: klikkidiklakkidiklok… Believe in yourself. And you can do more than you think.
Do you have any other information you would like to share with us?
Well, not really. The UK’ers are waiting for Feet of Flames to come, and the USA-tour isn’t the end, some dancer said. So wait and see. Oh, don’t forget the Irish Festival in Copenhagen. Yvonne knows when, I’m sure, and I’m also sure that she will tell more about it later this year. There will be workshops, I think. With real Irish teachers. Juhuu.
What do you think is the best with the Nordic Society of Irish Dancers?
Hm… new friends, the tapping connection, the kicks I get from Norway – and 150 happy people.
Happy tapping
Marianne